Fastener receiving clip applying machine



Nov. 7, 1961 G. LA FLEUR ET AL FASTENER RECEIVING CLIP APPLYING MACHINE Filed NOV. 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R z J w my mum: M; p 1 4G 2 a 26 6 WV. 6 B 0 f 3 0 .aw V 0 2 2 /0/ a w r w m H g@ Z o Mv; Md w ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1961 (5. LA FLEUR ETAL 3,007,169

FASTENER RECEIVING cup APPLYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A I'TORIVA-FS Nov; 7, 1961 G. LA FLEUR ETAL 3,007,169

FASTENER RECEIVING CLIP APPLYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TIE: 5

f4 aa :j/J I 1| II I W0 'LJ 5 IN VEN TOR-F 6502a: 45 1-250? ewen a PM Nov. 7, 1961 FLEUR ET AL 3,007,169

FASTENER RECEIVING CLIP APPLYING MACHINE GEORGA' 44 Flt (IR W/ll 07M a 64110605? BY aa-zwr RIIF 620m 4 PM A T TOR/V5 Y8 3,7,l69 Patented Nov. 7, 1961 3,007,169 FASTENER RECEIVING CLE APPLYING MACHINE George La Fleur, 1190 Mason Ave, Dearboru, Mich,

William H. Gallagher, 19161 Oakiield Ave, Detroit,

Mich., and Geert Reef, Detroit, Mich; said Reef assignor of one-half each to said La Fleur and said Galla er gal Filed Nov. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 774,405

6 Claims. (Cl. 1-2) This invention relates to a machine for applying fasteners or clips to panels and the like.

An aim of this invention is the provision of a clipapplying machine that is of simple construction, compact, rugged, and easy to maintain.

An object of the invention is the provision of a clipapplying machine that can 'be mounted in plurality, occupying a conservative space, in the form of a clipapplying jig to simultaneously apply a plurality of clips or fasteners to panels, glove compartments, and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a clip-applying machine that is readily adaptable to varying job requirements.

A meritorious feature of the invention is the provision of a clip-applying machine that is capable of rapid and efficient application but yet provides for ease of operation.

An example of the fastener receiving panel clip that may be applied by this machine is disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 759,209 filed September 5, 1958.

Other objects, advantages, and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of this invention and including a schematic diagram of fluid pressure and electrical operating circuits;

FIG. 2 is an end view showing primarily the ram assembly of the clip-applying machine;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the clip-applying machine with the ram in a raised position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the clip-shaping means, clipshearing and driving means, anvil means, and the ram in a lowered position;

FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of the clip-shaping means taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the clip-applying machine with a fragmentary sectional view at the lower end of the ram cylinder;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the clip-applying machine;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIGS. 3 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 3 and showing the spring loading of the ram clip carrying means.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the clip-applying machine includes a frame 10, a clip ribbon feed means 16 mounted on the frame, a ram assembly 12 supported on the frame, a guide means 14, a clip-shaping means 18, a clip-carrying means 20 on the ram for engaging a clip to be sheared from the clip ribbon and carrying it downward to the point of application, a clip-shearing and driving means 22 on the ram, and an anvil means 24 including a panel-locating pin 26 receivable through an aperture in a panel 28, or the like, to which the clip is to be applied.

Basically, the supporting frame, generally indicated as 10, is composed of an H-shaped frame as shown in FIG. 7, having oppositely opened channels with other frame members rigidly secured to its exterior sides. Secured adjacent thereto and on each exterior side of the H- shaped frame are two upstanding L-shaped frame members 32, see FIGS. 1, 3, 6, and 10. The upward extending portion of the L-shaped frame members form the frame support for the ram assembly. Along each side of the base of the frame is a bar 38 rigidly secured thereto by screws 34 and 36 and adapted for mounting to a jig, table, or any other suitable support 40 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Pivotally mounted between L-shaped frame members 32 is a bar 42 to which the clip ribbon feed means 16 is attached by screws 44 and 46. The clip ribbon feed means includes a spring-loaded fluid actuator 48 which is attached to the pivotally mounted bar 42., a piston 52 and spring tensioned piston rod 50 within the cylinder 48, an indexing device 54 which includes a generally rectangular shaped block 55 securely fastened to the piston rod and having, pivotally mounted on rod 61 which extends through block 55, clip ribbon-engaging fingers 56 and 58, one disposed on each side of the block, and said engaging fingers tensioned by a spring 60 mounted on a rod 62 which extends through the rectangular block 55, and a bifurcated L-shaped bracket 64. The bifurcated L-shaped bracket is attached to the forward end of cylinder 48 by screws 66 and 68 and serves as a guide for the reciprocable indexing device disposed between the bifurcations 70 and 72 and said bifurcations also aid in guiding the clip ribbon beneath the ram.

The guide means, generally indicated as 14, includes two superimposed guideways. The lower guideway 87 is formed of oppositely opening channels formed in the H-shaped frame 30 as shown in FIG. 7. The lower guideway is adapted to receive the shaping and shearing block 88 which is adjustable therein by screw 90 and lock nut 94 provided in cross member 92 of the H-shaped frame as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. Directly above the lower guideway is an open and continuous guideway 74. The upper guideway 74 is formed of opposed oppositely opening and continuous channels, one of which is shown in FIG. 3, and between which a clip ribbon is supported, as shown in FIG. 9, and guided toward the ram.

Disposed between the upward extending portion of L-shaped frame members 32 and secured thereto as by screws 33 and 33a, see FIGS. 1 and 6, are two suitable guide plates 96 and 98, see also FIGS. 8 and 9, adapted to permit vertical reciprocation of the ram. Between the top portion of the guide plates is a block 102, into which screws are threaded, adapted to receive the piston rod 186 of the ram-actuating means, see FIG. 8. At the base of the guide plates, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is disposed a U shaped tie bar 100.

The ram assembly, generally indicated as 12, includes a clip-shaping means 18, a clip-carrying means 20, a clip-shearing and driving means 22, and 'a spring-loaded fluid actuator 1414. The actuating means includes a cylinder 131) within which is a piston assembly 124 threadedly connected to a piston rod 106 and a coil spring 122. Threadedly connected to the lower end of the piston rod is a T-shaped block 1&8 which limits the upward stroke of the piston and to which is secured the clip-shaping, shearing, and driving means. The c1ip-shaping means consists of two plates 103 and 105, one on each side of the T-shaped block, having grooves 111 and 1-21, which are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, provided at the bottom end adapted to be received over the prongs of the clip, and in cooperation with the shaping and shearing block 88, bends the prongs downward when the ram is lowered, see FIGS. 4 and 5. Screws 114 and 116 securely fix the shaping means to the T-shaped block. The clip-carrying means, generally indicated as 2%, includes two spring tensioned plates or fingers 113 and provided with grooves 123 and 125 adapted to receive the previously shaped clip, see FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and

the T-shaped block 1118 is provided with a pair of coil spring receiving sockets 109 and the plates 113 and 115 are similarly provided with sockets 141. A pair of light coil springs 113a and 115a are received in the sockets and extend between the block 1128 and the plates, spring tensioning the plates downwardly. A pin 107a extending through and beyond the sides of driver 22 and received in notches 1117b and 1117c in plates 113 and 115 respectively, limit downward movement of the plates under urging of springs 113a and 115a, The shearing and driving means 22 consists of a block positioned for vertical reciprocation between the clip-carrying plates or fingers 113 and 115 and securely fixed to the T-shaped block by screws 110 and 112. The clip-shearing and driving means and the clip-shaping means are fixed in a position for simultaneous action so that upon the downward stroke of the ram, the prongs of one clip of the clip ribbon are bent downward in cooperation with shaping and shearing block 88, see FIG. 5, and at the same time the next forward clip previously shaped with its forward end supported by a retractable clip-supporting means 118, see FIGS. 3 and 9, is engaged by the grooves provided in the clip-carrying means before the descending shearing and driving means shears the clip from the ribbon and then as the ram descends the retractable clip-supporting means 118 is pushed back, and the carrying means co-ntinues to guide the clip downward until the carrying plates or fingers 113 and 115 contact the panel and at which time the shearing and driving means drives the clip from the carrying means into the panel, see FIG. 4.

To support the end of the clip ribbon upon its insertion under the ram, a retractable clip-supporting means 118 is provided on the back plate 120 of the clip-applying machine. Plate 1211 is secured at opposite side edges by screws 120a to the guide plates 96 and 98. The hook portion of the retractable clip-supporting means 118, extending through an aperture 117 provided in the back plate, engages the end of the ribbon sufficiently to provide some support during the shearing process and also assures that the clip-carrying means will properly engage the clip before shearing takes place, see FIGS. 4 and 9.

Power for operating the clip-applying machine is provided by an electrical and fluid circuit as illustrated in FIG. 1. Its operation is as follows: upon closing switch 132, the solenoid valve 134 allows pressure to enter the system from line 136. The pressure reaches lines 133, 146 and 142 simultaneously at the T-junction 137 provided. Line 138 leads to the clip feed means actuator, line 142 leads to the ram actuator, and line 140 is a control or pilot line. A delayed pressurization of line 142 is caused by line 140 and the pilot operated air valve 144. As the pressure enters the system at the T-junction it is diverted to lines 138, 140, and 142' simultaneously, but line 138 leading to the clip feed means is pressurized before line 142 leading to the ram because the pressure in control line 140 must first be sufficient to actuate valve 144 to admit pressure to line 142 to cause the lowering of the ram. Upon breaking contact of switch 132, the power source is interrupted by the solenoid valve. Pressure in control line 140 will no longer be suificient to hold valve 144 open and thus the prmsure of the system is released.

The following is a general description of the machines operation. The clip ribbon is introduced into the machine from a roll 8 mounted to the rear of the machine as illustrated in FIG. 1. Because the clip ribbon feed means is pivotally mounted, it can be swung upwardly by manually depressing the spring plate 125, see FIGS. 3 and 6, toward the ram mechanism to release it. The spring plate normally bears against the arm 72 to hold the clip ribbon feed means downwardly in position during operation. This permits the operator to properly guide the clip ribbon to the starting point. Initially the end of the clip ribbon should be placed the width of one clip away from the end of the clip-shaping and shearing block 88. After properly positioning a panel or the like 28 as shown in FIG. 3, the operator is ready to begin. Upon closing switch 132 of the circuit, pressure first causes the clip ribbon feed means to advance the clip ribbon one clip width along the guiding means. As the ram descends, the grooves provided in the plates of the shaping means mounted thereon engages the clip ribbon and bends the prongs of a clip downward in cooperation with the shaping and shearing block 88. At this point, let us assume the cycle has been completed once and that the clip ribbon has been advanced to the point of having a clip beneath the ram and in contact with retractable clip-supporting means 118. During this same downward movement of the arm, the grooves of the clipcarrying means engage a clip before the clip is sheared from the ribbon by the shearing and driving means and as the ram descends,the retractable clip-supporting means is pushed back and the carrying means continues to guide the clip downward until the carrying plates contact the panel and at which time the shearing and driving means drives the clip from the carrying means and into the panel and the prongs of the clip are caused to be turned outwardly and into the bottom of the panel by the downward force of the driving means and the upwardly facing annular groove, either 129 or 131, see FIGS. 1 and 3, provided in an anvil beneath the panel. Hereafter, the above cycle is repeated;

Ribbon back feed preventing are provided. Such includes a dog 146 pivoted upon pin 148 and spring tensioned toward the ribbon. The dog is U-shaped. The spring 150 wraps around the pin at opposite sides of the dog and bears at opposite ends against the vertical faces 152 of the U-bracket 70 and against the dog as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 the dog 146 prevents return of the ribbon as the feed fingers 56 and 58 retract.

What we claim is:

'1. A fastener receiving panel clip applying machine comprising, in combination: a frame, a ram supported on the frame for reciprocation, means on the frame for guiding a clip ribbon beneath the ram, combination clip shearing and driving'means on the ram operable to shear a clip from a ribbon beneath the ram and drive the sheared clip into a panel upon each stroke of the ram toward the ribbon, clip carrying means on the ram movable therewith and relative thereto for engaging a clip to be sheared prior to shearing to carry the sheared clip against a panel during movement of the ram toward the panel and hold the clip adjacent the panel for driving by the ram, means fixedly mounted in the machine out of the path of travel of the clip shearing and driving means and the clip carrying means and upon which a clip is formed, clip shaping means mounted on the ram and cooperable with the last mentioned means to shape a clip adjacent the one sheared and driven into the panel during the shearing and driving stroke of the ram, and clip ribbon feed means mounted on the frame to feed the ribbon in a step by=step movement beneath the ram in synchronism with the reciprocation thereon.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said clip-carrying means includes a pair of arms for embracing the clip with said arms normally extending beyond the combination shearing and drivin means to engage a clip prior to the shearing and driving means shearing the clip, said arms being supported for retraction relative to the shearing and driving means whereby a clip carried by the arms is driven out of the arms and into a panel when the arms engage the panel.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said combination clip shearing and driving means includes a shearing and driving face for engagmga cl p and shearing and driving the same into a panel, said clip carrying means includes portions for embracing a clip to be sheared by said clip shearing and driving means,

5 engage and embrace a clip prior to abutment thereof by said shearing and driving face, and said portions movable with the ram toward a panel with said resilient means yielding upon engagement of such portions with the panel to allow continued movement of the ram driving the clip carried by such portions into the panel.

4. The invention "as defined in claim 1 characterized in that retractable clip supporting means are mounted on the frame to engage the end of the ribbon beneath the ram and releasably support the clip at the end of the ribbon during engagement thereby by the clip-carrying means.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 characterized in that anvil means are provided spaced from the ram by a distance sufficient to allow interpositioning of a panel therebetween, said anvil means including a panel locating pin receivable through an aperture in a panel over which a clip is to be applied.

6. in a machine for forming and applying clips to a panel or the like: an anvil, a frame having a portion spaced from the anvil by a distance exceeding the thickness of the panel, a driving ram mounted in the frame for reciprocation through said portion toward and away from the anvil, a clip-driving head on the ram having a driving face for driving a formed clip into the panel opposite the anvil, a clip-forming and shearing block rigidly mounted in the frame adjacent but out of the path of travel of the driving face and having a shearing edge cooperable with the driving head to shear from a ribbon of clips a previ- 6 ously formed clip in the path of the driving face, a. pair of spring-loaded fingers on the ram normally positioned to extend beyond the driving face thereof to embrace a clip prior to shearing and movable with the driving head against the panel to guide the embraced clip into the panel during driving thereof by the driving face, said driving head having a clip-forming portion cooperable with said block to form a clip behind the one being sheared, clip ribbon feed mechanism mounted on the frame to feed said clip ribbon in a step-by-step movement to successive positions at which an unformed clip is disposed upon the block in the path of the shaping portion thereof and a previously formed clip is disposed beyond the end of the block and in the path of the spring-loaded fingers and driving face.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 572,420 Greenfield Dec. 1, 1896 1,133,862 I-Iullings Mar. 30, 1915 1,184,441 Girard May 23, 1916 1,377,295 Wentworth May 10, 1921 1,442,857 Claussen Jan. 23, 1923 1,746,496 Palmgren Feb. 11, 1930 1,841,820 Kirchner Jan. 19, 1932 2,174,708 Sears Oct. 3, 1939 2,308,919 Hitt Jan. 19, 1943 2,765,468 Coates Oct. 9, 1956 

